Did you know…

MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. The Corporation for National and Community service has been charged to lead this effort for the last quarter century. This day of service helps to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, address social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

With the support of Oskaloosa Community Schools, United Way of Mahaska County helped to organize a day of service in 2022. Various students from William Penn University sports teams and teachers from the Oskaloosa Community School District spent the day volunteering at a variety of locations in Mahaska County. There were approximately 186 volunteers that contributed over 372 hours of volunteering!

Why Serve on MLK Day?

Dr. King recognized the power of service. He famously said, “Everyone can be great because everybody can serve.” Observing the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday through service is a way to begin each year with a commitment to making your community a better place. Your service honors Dr. King’s life and teachings and helps meet community challenges. Service also brings people together of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. The MLK Day of Service encourages all types of service, particularly projects that have a lasting impact and connect participants to ongoing service. The most successful projects connect to the life and teaching of Dr. King, meet a pressing community need, and include time to reflect on his teachings.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a national IRS sponsored program that helps you receive your maximum federal and state tax refunds. If your household income is less that $67,000, you may qualify for VITA’s services.

The average tax preparation fee is $242. Those who can’t afford this fee either do their own taxes (often missing important tax credits) or do not file their taxes at all. Through VITA, IRS-certified volunteers complete and file your tax return for free!

Addressing Food Insecurity

Take-Along, a United Way of Mahaska County initiative, started in 2015 as means of addressing the issue of child hunger in the community. The program is a collaborative effort between United Way, local schools, and community volunteers. Volunteers help assemble meals for students at Oskaloosa Elementary, Oskaloosa Middle School, Fremont Elementary, and Eddyville Elementary. Once meals are put together, school staff help distribute them to students who have been identified as food insecure. Take-Along meals ensure that these children have consistent access to nutritious food during the weekends when they need it most.

The Impact of Hunger

Food insecurity is particular devastating among children due to their increased vulnerability and the potential for long term consequences. Did you know an estimated 1,040 children experience food insecurity in Mahaska County, Iowa. Good nutrition is the foundation for health and wellness. For children, it’s especially important as it affects their health, academic success, and future workplace productivity. Children experiencing food insecurity are at a higher risk for health problems and behavioral challenges that make success in school difficult.

 

When school’s out, Summer Lunch is in!

More than half of Mahaska County kids qualify for free and reduced lunch every year. That means that due to their family’s income, these students are getting subsidized lunches and sometimes breakfasts to ensure that they’re not hungry at school.

But what about when they’re not at school during summer break?

The truth is there are children in our community dealing with food insecurity – at times, not knowing where their next meal is coming from. But a growing group in Mahaska County wants to help.  The Oskaloosa Community School District, United Way and several individual volunteers are coming together to meet this need in our community. Together we will host Oskaloosa Summer Lunch, where kids can get a free lunch as well as fun and educational activities.

College Ave Friends Park

912 N C St, Oskaloosa | 12:00 – 12:30

Eddyville Public Library

202 S 2nd St, Eddyville | 1:45 – 2:15

Oskaloosa Elementary School

1801 Orchard Ave, Oskaloosa | 11:30 – 12:30

Oskaloosa Middle School

1704 N 3rd St, Oskaloosa | 11:30 – 12:00

Oskaloosa Public Library

301 S Market St, Oskaloosa | 11:15 – 11:45

Mahaska Health Partnership

1229 C Ave E, Oskaloosa | 12:00 – 12:30

University Park Community Center

1204 Center St, University Park | 11:45 – 12:15

Webster YMCA Camp

508 South 7th St, Oskaloosa | 12:00 – 12:30

Back to School

The Back to School Fair started with a few dedicated organizations and has grown into a community wide committee. This change helps ensure that the Fair is an inclusive place for students to get ready for school. United Way of Mahaska County partners with several local businesses and organizations to launch the Back to School Fair every year. The year 2022 marks our 14th year of this program, and the coordinators are confident that this year will be another that fully represents the Mahaska County community’s commitment to their children and schools. Since 2010, the Back to School Fair has provided over 4,000 backpacks full of school supplies to children in need in Mahaska County. Our goal is to provide students with the supplies necessary to be successful in their upcoming school year.

Taking ONE Day to Build a Stronger Mahaska County.

The Day of Caring is an annual event which brings volunteers from across the community together for one day of collective, meaningful impact. Volunteers spend time landscaping, painting, building, and doing repairs throughout the community and you can join us in the work of LIVING UNITED. The Day of Caring is an opportunity to use your time and talents to support United Way and our community. It provides an opportunity to see first-hand the work United Way and our partners are doing to improve education, income and health in Mahaska County.

BRRR

The need for warm winter clothing is a serious one, especially in Iowa. The average winter temperature in Iowa for 2018/19 was 26.5 degrees F. The Winter Coat drive is a great opportunity for community members to clean out their closets and make an impact during the season of giving. Items collected during the drive are given to people in need at no charge. Accepted donations include winter coats, snow boots, snow pants, winter hats, gloves/ mittens, scarves, and other winter outerwear. Whenever possible, please launder items prior to donation.